Iwo Day 2019: Maye Splashes N2.5 million in Cash and Kind

Iwo Day 2019: Maye Splashes N2.5 million in Cash and Kind

The Maye of Yorubaland and Chancellor of Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu, in Ife North Local Government, His Royal Eminence (Dr.) Abdulrahaman Adegoke Atobatele Adedoyin was the cynosure of all eyes at this year Iwo Day Celebrations as he dazzled all the people present with a donation of 2.5 million Naira towards the upliftment and development of the ancient town.

Out of this is a 2 Million Naira worth of scholarship award to an indigent but brilliant student of Iwo extraction and a 500 Thousand Naira cash donation towards the development of the community.

Dr. Adedoyin who was one of the Special Guests of Honour at the event pledged his continued and adequate support toward the growth and development of Iwoland.

Adedoyin disclosed that he has been doing this yearly for many of the foremost Yoruba kings and communities. According to him, he had extended similar gesture to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi and the beneficiary should be in part two by now. He said he has also done the same for the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi among others. He, therefore, used the occasion to invite other foremost Yoruba traditional rulers to access this gesture from him.

Reacting to this, the Oluwo of Iwoland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, commended  Dr. Adedoyin, for his continuous support to Iwoland most especially scholarship awards to the students of Iwoland. He said he has known Dr. Adedoyin for a very long time especially in Canada.

The monarch described the Maye of Yorubaland as a pride to Yoruba people not only as a result of his philanthropic gestures but also because of his landmark achievements especially in the field of education as "the only Nigerian presently that has three Universities and two Polytechnics with many businesses including a bank.”

Oba Adewale Akanbi called on the indigenes of Iwoland to focus on developing the land adding that no matter where people go to, they will still come home because there is no place like home.

He noted that indigenes of Iwo who are in the diaspora should also be encouraged to come home and invest in the land as well as invest in people.

Oluwo advised that now that the elections are over and it is time for all the politicians in Iwo to come together so they can use their influence to drag good things to Iwoland regardless of their political party.

He expressed his joy that people came out en-masse to witness this year’s edition of Iwo Day. " I personally supervised this Iwo day.

It could be recalled Adedoyin, had two years ago offered a similar scholarship worth of 2 Million Naira in honor of Oluwo to an indigene of Ile-Ogbo.

The event which was well attended by indigenes and non-indigenes alike had in attendance Senator Adelere Oriolowo, Senator Solomon Yayi, Honourable Yunusa Amobi, Honourable Halil Adebayo, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti and Hon Semiu Okanlawon.

Also in attendance were Hon. Rasaq Salinsile, Engr. Adedapọ, Sen. Rochas Okorocha, Hon. Adiru Abefe, Mr. Tunde Rahman, Engr Mumeen Olabanji, governors and ministers.

Maye of Yorubaland Splashes N1m on Ife Timber Contractors Association

Maye of Yorubaland Splashes N1m on Ife Timber Contractors Association

……Promises Scholarships worth 20m naira to Ife Indigenes.

The Maye of Yorubaland and Chancellor, Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu, Ife North Local Government, His Royal Eminence (Dr) Abdul-Rahaman Adegoke Atobatele Adedoyin has donated one million naira as assistance to Ife Timbers Contractors and Saw millers Association towards the completion of their projects.

Adedoyin gave the monetary gift at a program organised by the association recently at Ile-Ife at which he was nominated as the Life Patron.

In his address at the occasion, the President of the Association said Adedoyin was selected as the Life Patron because of his numerous contributions to the socio-economic development to humanity in  Ile-Ife in particular.

He noted that the last Life Patron of the association, the late Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Okunade Sijuwade rendered a lot of assistance to the association and left an indelible mark in their affairs and expressed optimism that the Maye of Yorubaland would even do better. He disclosed that over 15,000 Ife indigenes earn their living from the timber businesses in Ile-Ife forest reserve.

In his remark, the Maye of Yorubaland advised the members that as they cut trees, they should plant trees for the future. He also said he heard that the association is divided into two and advised them to bury their grievances. "Ile-Ife is one, the reserve had been there before us and we shall leave it there. Let it remain one. You do not need to divide yourself.”

He used the occasion to invite the other small group to come back. “I was with the Oba Okunade Sijuwade and the late Oba S F Omisakin when the representatives of the Osun State Government came to resolve an issue about the forest. The problem keeps on lingering because you people are divided. The reserve is very important to more than 50% of the people of Ile-Ife far before we were born.”

 

He also advised the people of Ile-Ife to beware of strangers dressed in borrowed clothes and big cars to deceive them. They have only come to steal the little that they have. ’Awa Ife, ijekuje ti a nje, oun lon kobawa, oun pawa lara,’ but I know that Ile-Ife is a spirit. If you do well, you get well.... it is a matter of time and history"

Meanwhile, Dr. Adedoyin has promised to grant scholarships worth over 20 million naira to Ife indigenes who passed the last Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board- JAMB Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination-UTME and are willing to school at Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu, Ife North Local Government or at The Polytechnic, Ile-Ife or Oduduwa Polytechnic, Lagos.

Adedoyin to establish Maye University of Medicine in Sierra Leone.

Adedoyin to establish Maye University of Medicine in Sierra Leone

 Sierra Leone Ex President His Excellency Ba Koroma with His Royal Eminence Ramon Adedoyin

It was indeed an historical visit as the Maye of Yorubaland, His Royal Eminence, Dr Ramon  Adedoyin and his wife,  Chief (Mrs) Iyabode Olufunmilayo Adedoyin last week paid a four  day working visit to the Republic of Sierra Leone where they paid courtesy calls on the immediate past President of the country, His Excellency Ba Koroma as well as the Nigerian High Commissioner to the Country, His Excellency Ambassador (Dr) Habiss Ibrahim Ugbada.

The couple and their entourage who were in the diamond rich country to solidify academic relations between Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu, Nigeria and the University of Makeni, Sierra Leone were received at the Freetown Airport by the Nigerian Embassy staff and officials of the University from where they boarded a private boat to the city of Freetown in Serrialeone.

Dr Adedoyin and his entourage used the opportunity to pay courtesy visits to Sierra Leonean officials including the Honourable Minister for Technical and Higher Education, Hon Prof Aiah Gbakima to discuss areas of mutual cooperation and benefit between the two countries.

The couple and their entourage were also hosted to a breakfast treat by the Nigerian High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, His Excellency, Ambassador (Dr.) Habiss Ibrahim Ugbada who expressed delight that Maye and his wife’s visit will go a long way to further strengthen the existing strong and cordial relationship existing between the two countries.

His Excellency Ba Koroma, Maye Adedoyin and Yeye Maye Iyabode Adedoyin during the visit

He disclosed that Nigeria and Sierra Leone shared a lot of history and are both currently having many bilateral and multilateral relations especially in the areas of military, health and education.

Dr Adedoyin also met with some members of the Sierra Leone business community to also explore other areas of business and investment in Sierra Leone aside the educational sector where he indicated his interest in establishing the Maye University of Medicine, Makeni, Sierra Leone.

At Makeni, one of the largest council areas in Sierra Leone, the team was warmly received by the Paramount Chief of Bombali Shebora Chiefdom, Chief Bai Shebora Kassanga II, the Mayor of Makeni City Council, Her Worship,Mrs Sunkarie Kamara and the entire people of the community as they trooped out in their large numbers to give them a rousing welcome.

During their stay at Makeni, the Maye of Yorubaland and His wife also paid a courtesy visit to the immediate past President of Sierra Leone, His Excellency Ba Koroma in his palatial country home.

They also had discussion on areas of mutual interests between the two countries with the Ex President showing the appreciation of the country to Nigerians and Nigerian government for their assistance to the Sierra Leone people especially during the long civil war and during the Ebola epidemic.

The Oduduwa University delegation had earlier attended the Postgraduate Congregation ceremony of the University of Makeni where the Chancellor of Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu Dr Ramon Adedoyin delivered the convocation lecture titled: Postgraduate Education and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

The team also paid courtesy visits on the Mayor of Makeni City Council, Her Worship,Mrs Sunkarie Kamara, the Paramount Chief of Bombali Shebora Chiefdom, Chief Bai Shebora Kassanga II.

Other areas visited are the Poultry Research Facility established by the University of Makeni, the Fatima and the Yoni Campuses of the institution where they had a meeting with the staff to discuss areas of collaborations and academic relations

Dr Adedoyin, his wife with Nigerian Ambassador to Sierra Leone, his wife during a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Embassy

The members of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Sierra Leone Chapter led by their President, Comrade Prince John Ogar as well as a delegation of Nigerians living in Sierra Leone also paid the renowned industrialist visits.

He urged them to be law abiding and be good ambassadors of Nigeria in their different places of work and abode.

Speaking to journalists on their return back to Nigeria, the Chancellor, Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu and Maye of Yorubaland, His Royal Eminence Dr Ramon Adegoke Atobatele Adedoyin described the visit to Sierra Leone as enlightening, progressive and a detailed ground for a business deal. He described Sierra Leoneans as friendly, hospitable and accommodating.

He expressed his readiness to partner with others in the different spheres of business and educational life towards the development of the socio-economic life of Sierra Leone.

Maye of Yorubaland Commiserates with Fasoranti, advises FGN to restructure Nigeria.

Maye of Yorubaland Commiserates with Fasoranti, advises FGN to restructure Nigeria.

(Dr) Ramon Adegoke Atobatele Adedoyin

The Maye of Yorubaland and renowned business guru, His Royal Eminence (Dr) Ramon Adegoke Atobatele Adedoyin has joined other notable Nigerians to commiserate with the leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti on the death of his daughter, Mrs. Funke Olakunrin who was reportedly killed by some hoodlums, suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, along Ore-Shagamu expressway in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, last Friday.

In a chat with newsmen, the Maye of Yorubaland said it was tragic and heart breaking for any parent to witness the death of his or her offspring especially in such a violent circumstance.

He described the level of insecurity in the country as alarming as Nigerians constantly live in fear of armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism and assassination among many other deadly vices.

The Maye noted that the major reason for the current widespread insecurity and lawlessness is the unemployment and widespread poverty among Nigerians, especially the youths and advised the government to urgently come up with programmes that will alleviate poverty so that crime can reduce in the society.

He also suggested that since it seems the government is not buoyant enough to carry the task of securing the lives and properties of Nigerians in view of other pressing issues in the country, the federal government should engage the services of licensed security outfits to combat crimes at all levels noting that the issue of security is germane to progress and development.

Dr Adedoyin added that organisations like Oodua People’s Congress should be encouraged to officially register as security outfits and be licensed to carry fire arms.

On the issue of nationhood, the Maye noted that he is not in support of the breakage of Nigeria, but suggested that instead of splitting, Nigeria should operate a regional arrangement with the country divided into 6 geo political zones under a new name called United States of Nigeria and the resources controlled by the various regions under the federal government.

Meanwhile, Ondo State Police Command has disclosed that it had made a number of arrests on the killing of Mrs. Funke Olakunrin, the daughter of the leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr. Femi Joseph, said the command would not relent until the perpetrators were apprehended and brought to book.

The police reiterated that its men were still in the forest, in the local government in search of the hoodlums.

He said, “We have made a lot of arrests on this matter, but we are doing the screening of those arrested to know who among them are the culprits.”

“By the time we finish the screening, we will let the world know the perpetrators.”

On the number of those arrested, Joseph said he would not be able to disclose the number for security reasons but said, “As I said a number of people have been arrested and when it is time we shall parade the suspects.”